Scuba diving beaches with incredible marine life are pretty much the only thing getting me through this dreary January in California right now. I’m over here in sweatpants, heater cranked, scrolling old GoPro footage while the rain smacks my window, and yeah—I’m straight-up homesick for empty water. Crowded dive sites stress me out, man. I’ve been that guy kicking someone’s fin by accident in Cozumel, apologizing through my regulator like an idiot. Never again if I can help it.
So here’s my messy, totally subjective list of seven places where I’ve had beaches basically to myself and the marine life was stupid good. Some were easy to reach, some were a total pain, I screwed up plenty along the way, but whatever—they’re worth it.
Why Empty Scuba Diving Beaches with Incredible Marine Life Hit Different for Me
I’m not some pro diver posting perfect insta reels. I forget stuff, I get cold easy, I still panic a tiny bit when visibility drops. But when you roll off a boat (or wade in from a deserted beach) and there’s nobody else around? Everything quiets down. Just your bubbles and a million fish going about their day. That’s the fix I chase.
1. Channel Islands, California – Cold But Weirdly Perfect
Closest one for me, obviously. Anacapa or Santa Cruz on a weekday in winter? You might have the whole site to yourself. Kelp forests thick as trees, sea lions photobombing every dive, bright orange garibaldi everywhere. Water’s cold—sue me, I whined about it my first few seasons—but the visibility can be insane.
One time I surfaced after a dive and literally laid on the rocks alone for like twenty minutes just listening to seals bark in the distance. Felt like the ocean was mine. Link to the NPS diving page if you wanna plan: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/scuba-diving.htm
2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia – Stupidly Beautiful, Stupidly Remote
Yeah, it’s far. Yeah, my flights got delayed like three times and I ate something that wrecked me for two days. But certain outer islands still have these little empty beaches where the liveaboard drops you and just… leaves.
Pygmy seahorses the size of my fingernail, mantas doing loops, corals that look airbrushed. I cried on one dive—mask flooded anyway so nobody could tell. If you want more info on protecting the area, Conservation International has good stuff: https://www.conservation.org/places/raja-ampat
3. Aliwal Shoal, South Africa – Sharks and Zero Drama
Shore dives, ragged-tooth sharks lounging like they pay rent, blacktips in summer. Beach is nothing fancy but usually empty mid-week.
I got circled by like eight rags once and my heart was going nuts—even though I knew they’re chill. Surfaced shaking but grinning. Not beginner-friendly, currents can be spicy, but man it’s raw.
4. Jardines de la Reina, Cuba – Feels Like Diving in a Time Capsule
Super restricted access keeps it empty. Silky sharks, huge grouper that follow you around like puppies, reefs healthier than anywhere I’ve seen.
I got mild narcosis once and tried to “pet” a nurse shark. Don’t be me. Avalon runs solid ops there if you’re looking: https://www.cubandivingcenters.com/jardines-de-la-reina/
5. Red Sea, Sudan – Hammerheads and Ghost Boats
Liveaboard only, hot as hell on deck, but the diving? Hammerhead schools at depth, pristine plate corals, the Umbria wreck still loaded with old bombs (cool but spooky).
One trip we had sites completely alone—felt wrong almost, like we snuck in somewhere we shouldn’t.
6. St. Eustatius (Statia) – Tiny Island, Macro Madness
No cruise ships most days, easy shore diving, beaches quiet. Frogfish, tiny seahorses, flying gurnards doing their weird walk.
I spent a whole dive chasing a candy crab and flooded my mask laughing when I finally found it. Underrated gem.
Check the official tourism dive page: https://www.statiatourism.com/diving.html
7. Banda Islands, Indonesia – Walls, Pelagics, and Spice History
Remote crossings, rough sometimes (I fed the fish topside once, glamorous), but the walls drop forever and the beaches on little islands are deserted.
Hammerheads, huge tuna, soft corals exploding color. Topside you smell nutmeg drying—random but cool.
Anyway, That’s My List of Scuba Diving Beaches with Incredible Marine Life and No People
I’m sure I missed some obvious ones, whatever—this is just where I’ve actually been and felt that “holy crap it’s just me” vibe. Some trips were flawless, most had dumb hiccups that make the good stories now.
